used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading "Who was that I saw crossing the lawn a little while ago?" said Mr. Tracy, speaking to his valet, who came in to assist him in dressing for dinner.
Acton
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "I saw a gentleman at the door asking for Acton, Sir," replied the servant; "and, as one of the men met him coming back this afternoon, I told the person that he would most likely find him in the garden; for he seemed quite a gentleman, and in a great hurry to speak with him.
the part of the day between noon and evening
From this reading "I saw a gentleman at the door asking for Acton, Sir," replied the servant; "and, as one of the men met him coming back this afternoon, I told the person that he would most likely find him in the garden; for he seemed quite a gentleman, and in a great hurry to speak with him.
in the past
From this reading "Who was that I saw crossing the lawn a little while ago?" said Mr. Tracy, speaking to his valet, who came in to assist him in dressing for dinner.
the form of “be” used with “I”
From this reading "Oh dear, no," answered Mr. Tracy; "I am glad to hear Acton has come back.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading "I saw a gentleman at the door asking for Acton, Sir," replied the servant; "and, as one of the men met him coming back this afternoon, I told the person that he would most likely find him in the garden; for he seemed quite a gentleman, and in a great hurry to speak with him.
past form of “answer” — react verbally
From this reading "Oh dear, no," answered Mr. Tracy; "I am glad to hear Acton has come back.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading "I saw a gentleman at the door asking for Acton, Sir," replied the servant; "and, as one of the men met him coming back this afternoon, I told the person that he would most likely find him in the garden; for he seemed quite a gentleman, and in a great hurry to speak with him.
the verbal act of requesting
From this reading "I saw a gentleman at the door asking for Acton, Sir," replied the servant; "and, as one of the men met him coming back this afternoon, I told the person that he would most likely find him in the garden; for he seemed quite a gentleman, and in a great hurry to speak with him.
assistverbUS /əˈsɪst/
give help or assistance; be of service
From this reading "Who was that I saw crossing the lawn a little while ago?" said Mr. Tracy, speaking to his valet, who came in to assist him in dressing for dinner.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading "I saw a gentleman at the door asking for Acton, Sir," replied the servant; "and, as one of the men met him coming back this afternoon, I told the person that he would most likely find him in the garden; for he seemed quite a gentleman, and in a great hurry to speak with him.
in or to or toward a former location
From this reading "I saw a gentleman at the door asking for Acton, Sir," replied the servant; "and, as one of the men met him coming back this afternoon, I told the person that he would most likely find him in the garden; for he seemed quite a gentleman, and in a great hurry to speak with him.
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading "Who was that I saw crossing the lawn a little while ago?" said Mr. Tracy, speaking to his valet, who came in to assist him in dressing for dinner.
move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading "Oh dear, no," answered Mr. Tracy; "I am glad to hear Acton has come back.
the act of drawing spatially closer to something
From this reading "I saw a gentleman at the door asking for Acton, Sir," replied the servant; "and, as one of the men met him coming back this afternoon, I told the person that he would most likely find him in the garden; for he seemed quite a gentleman, and in a great hurry to speak with him.
traveling across
From this reading "Who was that I saw crossing the lawn a little while ago?" said Mr. Tracy, speaking to his valet, who came in to assist him in dressing for dinner.
dearly loved
From this reading "Oh dear, no," answered Mr. Tracy; "I am glad to hear Acton has come back.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading I hope I did not do wrong, Sir?"
the main meal of the day served in the evening or at midday
From this reading "Who was that I saw crossing the lawn a little while ago?" said Mr. Tracy, speaking to his valet, who came in to assist him in dressing for dinner.
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading I hope I did not do wrong, Sir?"
a swinging or sliding barrier that will close the entrance to a room or building or vehicle
From this reading "I saw a gentleman at the door asking for Acton, Sir," replied the servant; "and, as one of the men met him coming back this afternoon, I told the person that he would most likely find him in the garden; for he seemed quite a gentleman, and in a great hurry to speak with him.
dressingnounUS /ˈdresɪŋ/
savory dressings for salads; basically of two kinds: either the thin French or vinaigrette type or the creamy mayonnaise type
From this reading "Who was that I saw crossing the lawn a little while ago?" said Mr. Tracy, speaking to his valet, who came in to assist him in dressing for dinner.
come upon, as if by accident; meet with
From this reading "I saw a gentleman at the door asking for Acton, Sir," replied the servant; "and, as one of the men met him coming back this afternoon, I told the person that he would most likely find him in the garden; for he seemed quite a gentleman, and in a great hurry to speak with him.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading "Who was that I saw crossing the lawn a little while ago?" said Mr. Tracy, speaking to his valet, who came in to assist him in dressing for dinner.
a plot of ground where plants are cultivated
From this reading "I saw a gentleman at the door asking for Acton, Sir," replied the servant; "and, as one of the men met him coming back this afternoon, I told the person that he would most likely find him in the garden; for he seemed quite a gentleman, and in a great hurry to speak with him.
a man of refinement
From this reading "I saw a gentleman at the door asking for Acton, Sir," replied the servant; "and, as one of the men met him coming back this afternoon, I told the person that he would most likely find him in the garden; for he seemed quite a gentleman, and in a great hurry to speak with him.
showing or causing joy and pleasure; especially made happy
From this reading "Oh dear, no," answered Mr. Tracy; "I am glad to hear Acton has come back.
relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind
From this reading "I saw a gentleman at the door asking for Acton, Sir," replied the servant; "and, as one of the men met him coming back this afternoon, I told the person that he would most likely find him in the garden; for he seemed quite a gentleman, and in a great hurry to speak with him.
hasauxiliary verbUS /hæz/
the form of “have” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading "Oh dear, no," answered Mr. Tracy; "I am glad to hear Acton has come back.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading "I saw a gentleman at the door asking for Acton, Sir," replied the servant; "and, as one of the men met him coming back this afternoon, I told the person that he would most likely find him in the garden; for he seemed quite a gentleman, and in a great hurry to speak with him.
perceive (sound) via the auditory sense
From this reading "Oh dear, no," answered Mr. Tracy; "I am glad to hear Acton has come back.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading "Who was that I saw crossing the lawn a little while ago?" said Mr. Tracy, speaking to his valet, who came in to assist him in dressing for dinner.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading "Who was that I saw crossing the lawn a little while ago?" said Mr. Tracy, speaking to his valet, who came in to assist him in dressing for dinner.
a specific instance of feeling hopeful
From this reading I hope I did not do wrong, Sir?"
a condition of urgency making it necessary to hurry
From this reading "I saw a gentleman at the door asking for Acton, Sir," replied the servant; "and, as one of the men met him coming back this afternoon, I told the person that he would most likely find him in the garden; for he seemed quite a gentleman, and in a great hurry to speak with him.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading "Who was that I saw crossing the lawn a little while ago?" said Mr. Tracy, speaking to his valet, who came in to assist him in dressing for dinner.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading "Who was that I saw crossing the lawn a little while ago?" said Mr. Tracy, speaking to his valet, who came in to assist him in dressing for dinner.
be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about
From this reading Let him know to-morrow morning, that I want to talk to him."
lawnnounUS /lɔːn/
a field of cultivated and mowed grass
From this reading "Who was that I saw crossing the lawn a little while ago?" said Mr. Tracy, speaking to his valet, who came in to assist him in dressing for dinner.
Letauxiliary verbUS /let/
used to make a suggestion or a command including the speaker
From this reading Let him know to-morrow morning, that I want to talk to him."
has a good chance of being the case or of coming about
From this reading "I saw a gentleman at the door asking for Acton, Sir," replied the servant; "and, as one of the men met him coming back this afternoon, I told the person that he would most likely find him in the garden; for he seemed quite a gentleman, and in a great hurry to speak with him.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading "Who was that I saw crossing the lawn a little while ago?" said Mr. Tracy, speaking to his valet, who came in to assist him in dressing for dinner.
the force of workers available
From this reading "I saw a gentleman at the door asking for Acton, Sir," replied the servant; "and, as one of the men met him coming back this afternoon, I told the person that he would most likely find him in the garden; for he seemed quite a gentleman, and in a great hurry to speak with him.
inflected form of “meet” — come together
From this reading "I saw a gentleman at the door asking for Acton, Sir," replied the servant; "and, as one of the men met him coming back this afternoon, I told the person that he would most likely find him in the garden; for he seemed quite a gentleman, and in a great hurry to speak with him.
the time period between dawn and noon
From this reading Let him know to-morrow morning, that I want to talk to him."
used to form the superlative
From this reading "I saw a gentleman at the door asking for Acton, Sir," replied the servant; "and, as one of the men met him coming back this afternoon, I told the person that he would most likely find him in the garden; for he seemed quite a gentleman, and in a great hurry to speak with him.
a form of address for a man
From this reading "Who was that I saw crossing the lawn a little while ago?" said Mr. Tracy, speaking to his valet, who came in to assist him in dressing for dinner.
not any; not one
From this reading "Oh dear, no," answered Mr. Tracy; "I am glad to hear Acton has come back.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading I hope I did not do wrong, Sir?"
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading "I saw a gentleman at the door asking for Acton, Sir," replied the servant; "and, as one of the men met him coming back this afternoon, I told the person that he would most likely find him in the garden; for he seemed quite a gentleman, and in a great hurry to speak with him.
a midwestern state in north central United States in the Great Lakes region
From this reading "Oh dear, no," answered Mr. Tracy; "I am glad to hear Acton has come back.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading "I saw a gentleman at the door asking for Acton, Sir," replied the servant; "and, as one of the men met him coming back this afternoon, I told the person that he would most likely find him in the garden; for he seemed quite a gentleman, and in a great hurry to speak with him.
a human being
From this reading "I saw a gentleman at the door asking for Acton, Sir," replied the servant; "and, as one of the men met him coming back this afternoon, I told the person that he would most likely find him in the garden; for he seemed quite a gentleman, and in a great hurry to speak with him.
to a degree (not used with a negative)
From this reading "I saw a gentleman at the door asking for Acton, Sir," replied the servant; "and, as one of the men met him coming back this afternoon, I told the person that he would most likely find him in the garden; for he seemed quite a gentleman, and in a great hurry to speak with him.
inflected form of “reply” — react verbally
From this reading "I saw a gentleman at the door asking for Acton, Sir," replied the servant; "and, as one of the men met him coming back this afternoon, I told the person that he would most likely find him in the garden; for he seemed quite a gentleman, and in a great hurry to speak with him.
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading "Who was that I saw crossing the lawn a little while ago?" said Mr. Tracy, speaking to his valet, who came in to assist him in dressing for dinner.
cut with a saw
From this reading "Who was that I saw crossing the lawn a little while ago?" said Mr. Tracy, speaking to his valet, who came in to assist him in dressing for dinner.
past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading "I saw a gentleman at the door asking for Acton, Sir," replied the servant; "and, as one of the men met him coming back this afternoon, I told the person that he would most likely find him in the garden; for he seemed quite a gentleman, and in a great hurry to speak with him.
a person working in the service of another (especially in the household)
From this reading "I saw a gentleman at the door asking for Acton, Sir," replied the servant; "and, as one of the men met him coming back this afternoon, I told the person that he would most likely find him in the garden; for he seemed quite a gentleman, and in a great hurry to speak with him.
term of address for a man
From this reading "I saw a gentleman at the door asking for Acton, Sir," replied the servant; "and, as one of the men met him coming back this afternoon, I told the person that he would most likely find him in the garden; for he seemed quite a gentleman, and in a great hurry to speak with him.
express in speech
From this reading "I saw a gentleman at the door asking for Acton, Sir," replied the servant; "and, as one of the men met him coming back this afternoon, I told the person that he would most likely find him in the garden; for he seemed quite a gentleman, and in a great hurry to speak with him.
the utterance of intelligible speech
From this reading "Who was that I saw crossing the lawn a little while ago?" said Mr. Tracy, speaking to his valet, who came in to assist him in dressing for dinner.
exchange thoughts; talk with
From this reading Let him know to-morrow morning, that I want to talk to him."
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading "Who was that I saw crossing the lawn a little while ago?" said Mr. Tracy, speaking to his valet, who came in to assist him in dressing for dinner.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading "Who was that I saw crossing the lawn a little while ago?" said Mr. Tracy, speaking to his valet, who came in to assist him in dressing for dinner.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading "I saw a gentleman at the door asking for Acton, Sir," replied the servant; "and, as one of the men met him coming back this afternoon, I told the person that he would most likely find him in the garden; for he seemed quite a gentleman, and in a great hurry to speak with him.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading "Who was that I saw crossing the lawn a little while ago?" said Mr. Tracy, speaking to his valet, who came in to assist him in dressing for dinner.
to-morrow
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Let him know to-morrow morning, that I want to talk to him."
inflected form of “tell” — express in words
From this reading "I saw a gentleman at the door asking for Acton, Sir," replied the servant; "and, as one of the men met him coming back this afternoon, I told the person that he would most likely find him in the garden; for he seemed quite a gentleman, and in a great hurry to speak with him.
TracynounUS /ˈtreɪsi/
United States film actor who appeared in many films with Katharine Hepburn (1900-1967)
From this reading "Who was that I saw crossing the lawn a little while ago?" said Mr. Tracy, speaking to his valet, who came in to assist him in dressing for dinner.
valetnounUS /væˈleɪ/
a manservant who acts as a personal attendant to his employer
From this reading "Who was that I saw crossing the lawn a little while ago?" said Mr. Tracy, speaking to his valet, who came in to assist him in dressing for dinner.
feel or have a desire for; want strongly
From this reading Let him know to-morrow morning, that I want to talk to him."
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading "Who was that I saw crossing the lawn a little while ago?" said Mr. Tracy, speaking to his valet, who came in to assist him in dressing for dinner.
whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading "Who was that I saw crossing the lawn a little while ago?" said Mr. Tracy, speaking to his valet, who came in to assist him in dressing for dinner.
which person or people
From this reading "Who was that I saw crossing the lawn a little while ago?" said Mr. Tracy, speaking to his valet, who came in to assist him in dressing for dinner.
in the company of; together with
From this reading "I saw a gentleman at the door asking for Acton, Sir," replied the servant; "and, as one of the men met him coming back this afternoon, I told the person that he would most likely find him in the garden; for he seemed quite a gentleman, and in a great hurry to speak with him.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading "I saw a gentleman at the door asking for Acton, Sir," replied the servant; "and, as one of the men met him coming back this afternoon, I told the person that he would most likely find him in the garden; for he seemed quite a gentleman, and in a great hurry to speak with him.
not correct; not in conformity with fact or truth
From this reading I hope I did not do wrong, Sir?"
